Research groups often have a designated system
administrator to handle their group's computer-related problems.
This document was designed for group sysadmins and assumes some significant
UNIX experience. This information is designed to help get certain
tasks done on an SGI with as little time as possible. But, they aren't
a substitute for learning how to administrate an SGI computer.
(See Recommended Reading for New
Sysadmins below.) The Computer Facility Director in Chemistry has a
small library of books which includes relevant course books some from SGI
training courses. Chemistry department sysadmins are allowed to borrow
these.
The sections are below, organized by general task areas. Note: "Securing your SGI" is not a part of "Setting up a new SGI" because it's a big section. It's after "Installing software", because some of the tasks for securing the SGI require basic understanding of installing software. Don't think that you don't have any software to install, so it can wait until later. SGI's come from the factory with major security flaws. All systems should be made as secure as possible before they are even put on the network. You never want to have to deal with someone breaking into your system, which has happened more and more at the University. If this happens, you may be required by University Policy to re-make your entire system before it can be put back on the campus net!
Setting up a new SGI
Installing software
Securing your SGI
Adding hardware
Maintaining your SGI
More how-to's for SGI sysadmins
Other help resources
Computer support in the
Chemistry Department
Group SGI sysadmins are highly-encouraged to learn the material in the SGI System Administration course, as it covers most of the admin issues they will run into. Here is a listing of reading for some of the key skills in computer administration:
Recommended reading for new sysadmins
For those new to UNIX: UNIX for Dummies, Portable UNIX
SGI System Administration, 1997, : Modules 2-5, 6:2-6, 7-9,
11-15 (note: doesn't cover new features of IRIX 6.5)
SGI System Administration Workbook
Recommended:
Practical UNIX and Internet Security
X-Windows System User's Manual
X-Windows System Administrator's Guide
For those doing Mac and PC support:
Mac:
Highly recommended!: Mac FAQ book
Upgrading and Repairing Macintoshes
Mac OS 8.5 Bible
PC:
Upgrading and Repairing PC's
This was based originally on a document "SGI Tips 4/97" by John H. Yates. Since then it has become a web document and been revised and greatly amplified by Martin Dellwo in 1997 and Martin McCormick in 1999-2000.
last updated 2/22/00 by Martin McCormick, martinm@sas.upenn.edu